Kailh Box Jade vs. Kailh Box Royal
An in-depth look at the Kailh Box Jade and the Kailh Box Royal switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
Are you in the market for a new mechanical keyboard switch? Look no further than the Kailh Box Jade and Kailh Box Royal switches - two fantastic options each with their own unique qualities. The Box Jade is perfect for those seeking a medium-heavy typing experience, accompanied by a satisfying clicky sound profile and tactile feedback. The crisp clicks and crunchy tactile bumps make typing on these switches a joy. On the other hand, if you crave an even more tactile switch, the Box Royal is the way to go. With a sharp, binary tactility, these switches provide a nearly aggressive feel. While both switches have a higher-pitched sound profile, the Box Royal's tactility takes it to the next level. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond these generalities so you can best decide on the perfect switch for you.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
50g
Actuation force
45g
Bottom-out force
60g
Bottom-out force
70g
Pre-travel
1.80 mm
Pre-travel
1.80 mm
Total travel
3.60 mm
Total travel
3.60 mm
Factory lubed
No
Factory lubed
No
Stem construction
Box
Stem construction
Box
Stem material
POM
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Spring
Kailh Box spring
Spring
Stainless steel
Housing materials
The Kailh Box Jade and the Kailh Box Royal have different top housing materials, leading to distinctive sound profiles. The Jade features a polycarbonate top housing, which creates a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound. Its stiffness allows for a clear and resonant sound profile, making it ideal for those who enjoy a more defined and noticeable typing experience. In contrast, the Royal utilizes a nylon top housing, resulting in a deeper and fuller sound profile. The softer nature of nylon absorbs more sound, yielding a duller and rounder sound. This can be appealing to individuals who prefer a quieter and more mellow typing experience.
Looking at the bottom housing materials of the Box Jade and the Box Royal, we find that they both use nylon. As a classic switch housing material, nylon brings similar qualities to both switches. Typing on switches with a nylon bottom housing elicits a deep and full sound profile due to the material's softer nature and enhanced sound absorption. This creates a more satisfying and immersive typing experience, particularly for those who favor a rich and resonant sound when pressing down on the keys. Therefore, both the Box Jade and the Box Royal offer comparable sound profiles when it comes to their bottom housings.
Understanding the influence of the top and bottom housings on the switch's sound, it becomes evident that the Box Jade and the Box Royal will deliver contrasting experiences during key release. The material of the top housing affects the sound when a key is released, and in the case of the Jade, the polycarbonate top housing adds to the sharp, high-pitched, and crisp sound when lifting off a key. Conversely, the nylon top housing of the Royal contributes to a deeper and fuller sound when releasing a key. This distinction in the top housing material gives each switch a unique auditory feedback, allowing users to select the one that aligns with their preferences during both keypress and release.
Weight
When comparing the Kailh Box Jade clicky switch and the Kailh Box Royal tactile switch, there are noticeable differences in their actuation force and bottom out force. The Box Jade has an actuation force of 50 grams, slightly heavier than the Box Royal's 45 grams. This means that the Box Jade requires a slightly stronger push to trigger a keystroke. In terms of bottom out force, the Box Jade has a force of 60 grams, while the Box Royal has a slightly heavier force of 70 grams. Therefore, typing on the Box Royal will provide a more substantial typing experience due to the higher bottom out force. However, both switches fall within the medium to medium-heavy range, ensuring a satisfying typing experience for those who prefer a stronger push feel. Overall, if weight is a consideration, the Box Jade would be the lighter option, suitable for longer periods of typing or gaming, while the Box Royal would provide a heavier, more robust typing experience.
Travel distance
The Kailh Box Jade clicky switch and the Kailh Box Royal tactile switch have the same travel distance of 3.6 mm. This means that when you press down on a key with either switch, you will feel the exact same distance of travel from the top to the bottom. This allows for consistent feedback and a familiar typing experience regardless of which switch you choose. So, whether you opt for the Kailh Box Jade clicky switch or the Kailh Box Royal tactile switch, you can expect similar results in terms of travel distance.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
For 10 switches, the Kailh Box Jade comes in at $5.50, whereas the Kailh Box Royal comes in at $6.25.
Here at Milktooth, we offer the best prices on switches (on average, 27% lower the competition). In addition, we offer free shipping on orders over $49.00. We also offer free returns and exchanges, so you can shop with guaranteed satisfaction.
That said, while price is an important piece of the puzzle, our opinion is that you should ultimately pick the option that most suits your unique preferences since you’ll be using these switches for years to come. In other words, finding something perfect for you is, in our view, the most important criteria.
Typing experience
The Kailh Box Jade clicky switch and the Kailh Box Royal tactile switch have distinct differences in their subjective qualities.
Starting with sound, the Box Jade is known for its high-pitched and crunchy sound profile. When pressed, these switches produce a sharp and crisp noise that resembles the sound of stepping on piles of crisp autumn leaves. On the other hand, the Box Royal also has a high-pitched sound profile, similar to the Box Jade. However, the specific description of the sound is not provided. It is important to note that the sound of these switches can also be affected by other factors such as the keyboard board and keycaps used. Therefore, if you prefer a higher-pitched and crunchy sound, both switches can provide similar results.
Moving on to feel, the Box Jade offers an accented and invigorating tactile experience. This means that it provides a medium level of tactility that is neither overwhelming nor subtle, accompanied by a snappy and reactive feel. On the other hand, the Box Royal is described as having a sharp tactile bump with high feedback intensity. This indicates that the tactile bump is prominent and can be distinctly felt with each keypress. If you are looking for a tactile switch with a stronger and more pronounced tactile bump, the Box Royal is a better choice.
In conclusion, the Kailh Box Jade clicky switch and the Kailh Box Royal tactile switch have different subjective qualities in terms of sound and feel. The Box Jade offers a medium-heavy typing experience with a high-pitched and crunchy sound, as well as an accented and invigorating feeling. On the other hand, the Box Royal provides a nearly aggressive tactility with a sharp tactile bump and a high-pitched sound profile. Depending on your preferences, both switches can provide satisfying results.
Conclusion
To sum up, if you are looking for a medium-heavy typing experience with a clicky sound profile and tactile feedback, the Kailh Box Jade switches are perfect for you. These switches offer a crisp click and crunchy tactile bumps, providing a satisfying typing sensation. On the other hand, if you desire an even more aggressive tactility, the Kailh Box Royal switches are an excellent choice. These switches have a sharp, binary tactility that offers a highly pronounced tactile bump with each keystroke. Both switches produce a high-pitched sound when pressed, but the Box Jade switches have a more crunchy sound profile due to their clicky nature. In terms of feel, the Box Jade switches provide an invigorating and accented tactile experience, while the Box Royal switches offer a sharp and intense tactile feedback. Ultimately, the choice between these two switches depends on your personal preference for typing experience and sound profile.
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